บท 61: King Claude's Visit
Several minutes later, Dominic made his way toward the sitting room. As he entered, he noticed familiar royal guards, the same ones he'd seen at Venian when he sought approval to marry Evangeline. His gaze then shifted to an older man seated in the room, wearing a crown and regal attire, casually sipping tea. Dominic immediately recognized him. "King Claude?" he thought, momentarily surprised. Azielle had mentioned this visit, but seeing the king in person still caught him off guard.
Dominic sighed softly, shaking off the surprise, and walked toward the man with a composed expression.
Unknown to them, Evangeline had overheard whispers of Claude's arrival and quietly positioned herself behind a door, listening intently to the conversation. She stood motionless, clutching the hem of her dress with her gloved hands, heart pounding. "What's Grand Uncle doing here?" she wondered, her breath shallow as she strained to hear.
Dominic approached the king, bowing his head slightly. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty," he greeted, his voice smooth, betraying no sign of emotion. Claude gave a brief nod, gesturing for Dominic to sit down across from him.
"I see you're doing well," Claude began, his tone casual but probing. "By the way, where is Evangeline?" The king's question hung in the air.
Dominic's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he offered a charming yet indifferent smile, one that revealed nothing. "Evangeline is busy at the moment," he replied smoothly, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa. He knew full well she wasn't busy, not after what had happened at the river earlier. Still, his demeanor remained utterly unruffled.
Evangeline, hidden behind the door, felt her heart skip a beat. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "That bastard... After what happened at the river, he's pretending it never occurred. What a cunning devil..." She pressed her palm to her face, shaking her head in frustration. A servant approached, about to call out to her, but Evangeline quickly raised a finger to her lips, signaling for silence. The servant, understanding, nodded and quietly walked away, passing the sitting room. Evangeline exhaled in relief and returned her attention to the conversation, her eyes narrowing as she listened.
Dominic shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers still lazily tracing the armrest. "Your Majesty," he began with a calm, measured tone, "You said you wanted to see me?" As he spoke, a servant stepped forward, pouring tea for Claude. The king waved a hand, indicating the servant should pour tea for Dominic as well. The servant complied, moving to Dominic's side and filling his cup.
Claude set his teacup down, interlacing his fingers as his expression grew more serious. "Ah yes... Mr. Dominic," he said, leaning forward slightly. "I assume you've heard about the Grand Duke's tragic death. The burial was on the day of your arrival."
Dominic's jaw tightened, his fingers briefly curling into a fist before relaxing. He took a slow sip of tea, letting the hot liquid calm his thoughts. "Yes, Your Majesty, I heard." His voice remained steady, though there was a faint edge of tension. "May I ask why you bring this matter up? Daniyel has no heirs left; they perished with him. Surely, Your Majesty should be seeking a member of your royal bloodline to fill the position of Grand Duke of Verdaselles."
His words were delivered with an almost careless confidence, as if the matter held little importance to him. He twirled the teacup in his hand, staring idly at the liquid inside, as if more intrigued by the swirl of tea than the fate of an entire duchy. His calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to the gravity of the situation, revealing just how indifferent he truly was.
Meanwhile, Evangeline, hidden in the shadows, clenched her fists tighter. "He's always so composed... so infuriatingly composed," she thought, her frustration growing. Yet despite her irritation, she couldn't help but admire his control.
"That's why I came to find you," Claude's voice cut through the air, making Dominic pause, his fingers halting as he twirled his teacup. His gaze shifted slowly toward the king, a flicker of curiosity in his otherwise calm demeanor. "Your Majesty, I don't understand. Why trouble yourself looking for me?" Dominic asked, his tone steady, hiding the storm of surprise brewing inside him.
Claude leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp and calculating. "I believe you are the right candidate to be the next Grand Duke of Verdaselles... and Evangeline by your side as the Duchess."
Dominic's jaw tightened reflexively, though his face betrayed little of the shock he felt. His mind raced, but his composure remained intact. Inside, however, the words rattled him. Grand Duke? The title felt foreign, unexpected. He had never sought such power as he was Viceroy.
Evangeline, listening from behind the door, stifled a gasp, her gloved hand flying to her mouth. Her heart raced. "What is he thinking? Giving that position to a stranger? A stranger who's going to take everything away... Grand Uncle, this is a huge mistake!" Her thoughts screamed in disbelief, and her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the hem of her dress tighter.
Dominic's voice broke the tension, calm but laced with hidden layers. "Why me, Your Majesty? I'm not of royal blood, nor am I part of the Sarogath bloodline." He set his teacup down carefully, his eyes momentarily flickering to the surface of the liquid before meeting Claude's.
Claude nodded in acknowledgment, his tone firm. "I know, Dominic. But you married into the Sarogaths, so now you are family. Your work as Viceroy, and everything you've done for the Serenity Hotel and Verdaselles, makes you worthy of this title. This is something Daniyel never understood. He was a reckless man, treating the title of Grand Duke as if it were a child's game. He neglected his duties, and after Evangeline's mother died, Verdaselles' finances crumbled."
Dominic's expression remained impassive, but internally he recalled Daniyel's irresponsibility, the scandals, and the chaos left in his wake. Daniyel had indulged in every vice, leaving Verdaselles to decay under his watch. It was no wonder the Grand Duke was rarely spoken of with respect—his name was a mere shadow in the halls of the royal court.
Claude continued, his voice filled with disappointment. "Daniyel never married ; his children were born of various women, and none had the legitimacy or standing to inherit the title. Verdaselles has suffered under his carelessness. When Azielle chose you to marry Evangeline, I approved without hesitation. Verdaselles needs stability, and you can provide that. I will appoint my new wife's brother as the new Viceroy."
Dominic's fingers clenched slightly around the armrest of his chair. His mind whirled, but his expression remained composed. "So this is it... Verdaselles is mine now. Evangeline won't be happy about this—she'll see it as another maneuver to take control. But maybe... maybe this will protect her. Maybe she'll be less vulnerable to our enemies..." His thoughts trailed off as he stared into his teacup, watching his reflection ripple in the dark liquid.
Claude reached into his coat and pulled out a document, sliding it across the table toward Dominic. "Sign it, Dominic. Your coronation will be next month, alongside Evangeline's. She's already begun a three-field system project with Prince George. I'm proud of the impact she's made, not just as an artist, but for the country."
Dominic nodded slightly, his fingers moving to the quill. With a graceful, deliberate stroke, he signed the document. His signature sealed his fate. A guard stepped forward, picking up the paper and handing it to Claude. The king pressed his royal seal onto it with a stamp, the wax cooling as he handed it back.
"Congratulations, Dominic," Claude said with a small smile, though the weight of the crown was apparent in his eyes. At that moment, the guards surrounding the room knelt down in unison, heads bowed. Claude's personal guards followed suit.
"Congratulations, Your Grace," they all intoned, their voices echoing through the grand room as they honored Dominic's new position.
Dominic glanced around, the title of "Your Grace" still settling uncomfortably on his shoulders. The memories of Daniyel's recklessness as Grand Duke replayed in his mind. "How could he let such a noble title fall into ruin?" he thought, his grey eyes flickering with a trace of disdain. But outwardly, he remained every bit the composed, elegant figure, nodding ever so slightly to acknowledge the reverence around him.
Evangeline, still hidden, exhaled slowly, her mind swirling with disbelief. "Dominic... the Grand Duke of Verdaselles? How could this happen? What's Grand Uncle thinking?!" Yet, beneath her shock, she couldn't shake a small, uneasy sense of admiration for the calm, commanding presence Dominic exuded even in this moment of unexpected power.
Evangeline clenched her fists in frustration, her nails digging into her palms. Without a word, she turned sharply away from the entrance, her heels clicking briskly against the tiled floor with every determined step. Her long platinum blonde hair swayed gracefully behind her, shimmering with each movement, while the flowing skirt of her gown trailed elegantly, brushing lightly against the ground as she strode toward her bedroom. The soft rustle of fabric and the rhythmic clacking of her heels echoed through the hall, mirroring the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Later, Khardis sat at a café with a group of suspicious-looking individuals. After their deal concluded and the men left, he discreetly tucked an envelope into his jacket. As he settled back into his seat, a group of women passed by, giggling amongst themselves. One of them reminded him of Khadriane, and the memory of her smile tugged at his thoughts. "Khadriane has joined her family... I wonder how she's doing now. I won't bother Evangeline anymore," he mused, lost in thought. But suddenly, something the women said made him nearly choke on his tea.
"Didn't you hear? His Majesty King Claude appointed our Viceroy, Dominic Brusward, as the next Grand Duke!" one of the women exclaimed as she took a bite of her dessert.
"Dominic helped the country during Daniyel's carelessness... But unfortunately, Dominic is from that notorious criminal Brusward family. His wife is bound to have issues with him again," another woman added with a sigh, causing Khardis to lean in slightly, listening more intently.
"Well, Dominic isn't with his family anymore, and it's obvious his father never involved him in anything. He wasn't even invited to his own son's wedding to Lady Evangeline. Still, for all he's done for Verdaselles, he's more than worthy to be its ruler," chimed in another woman, and the rest nodded in agreement.
"Evangeline is lucky to have such a man... He's so handsome and angelic. Unfortunately, he's married," the first woman squealed, her cheeks flushed as the group giggled and fawned over Dominic's good looks.
Khardis shook his head at their frivolous conversation, feeling his irritation grow. His fists clenched beneath the table, the news gnawing at him. "Grand Duke? What happened to Daniyel? Was I too engrossed in work to notice?" he thought, his mind racing. As he placed his teacup down with more force than intended, he grimaced. "Edward's on house arrest; he won't get the news unless I write or call him. This is worse than I expected. First Sein execution, now this?" He gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling to the surface.
Aggressively, Khardis poured more tea into his cup, the liquid sloshing slightly from his forceful movements. The women, noticing his sudden change in demeanor, paused their chatter and glanced at him with wide eyes, confused by the intense behavior.
The Venison House
Eliza was hosting a tea party, surrounded by the usual crowd of socialites she had invited for the afternoon. As she exchanged pleasantries with her guests, a servant quietly approached her with an envelope in hand. Eliza accepted it with mild curiosity, but as she opened it and read the contents, her eyes widened. A slow, knowing smirk crept onto her lips, revealing her inner thoughts.
Later that night, after the party had ended, Eliza sat at her study desk, her nightgown soft against her skin, a glass of wine by her side. The dim candlelight flickered, casting shadows across her face as she held the pendant Dominic had given her—back when she first slept with him on his bed. She bit her lip, the memory of their passionate moments together sending a wave of heat through her. As her hand hovered over the paper, she began writing a letter to Dominic, carefully choosing each word.
After finishing the letter, she walked through the dimly lit halls of her home, the cool night air brushing against her skin. She handed the letter to a guard, her voice low and authoritative. "Deliver this to the Verdaselles Palace estate—tonight."
As she returned to her bedroom, she sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers lightly trailing over her collarbone, then grazing the pendant once more. A sly grin played on her lips. "Grand Duke?" she murmured to herself, the title lingering in the air. "Interesting... I suppose he's back in his glory. If Evangeline were to divorce him due to her issues with him... perhaps I'd step in as the next Duchess. Or... maybe as his mistress. It wouldn't hurt, would it?" Her voice dripped with seductive malice. "Being his mistress would do... I'd ruin Evangeline's life and make him mine again."
Eliza chuckled softly, her fingers tracing over her lips as she recalled the way Dominic had looked at her, touched her. She licked her fingers slowly like a cat cleaning it's paws savoring the memory. Her eyes gleamed in the faint light as she reclined on her bed, letting her mind drift to the past. "I'm looking forward to us meeting again... my dear Enrique," she thought, using the pet name she once called him, a smirk curling her mouth.
As she lay back, her arms spread wide across the bed, her memories of their nights together flooded her thoughts. The way he had held her, the rough passion between them—she couldn't help but trail her fingers lightly across her skin, imagining it was his touch. Eliza let out a soft sigh, her desire for him rekindling, as she whispered into the darkness, "Soon... we'll be together again.
Her fingers traced the edges of the pendant he had once given her, memories of their time together flooding her mind. She bit her lip, the tension of desire and frustration building inside her as she remembered the way he used to look at her, the way he held her.
"Grand Duke Huh...." she whispered to herself, a sly smile forming on her lips. The news of Dominic's new title only fueled her fantasies.
Leaning back in her bed, she let her mind wander, the memories of Dominic's touch and his smoldering gaze igniting old feelings. Her heartbeat quickened as she imagined him standing before her again, his presence overwhelming.
"I'll make him mine again," she whispered, closing her eyes and holding the pendant tighter. The intensity of her thoughts consumed her, and she allowed herself to get lost in the fantasy of being with him once more, feeling the connection they once shared, her fingers trailed down to her inner thighs and her fingers penetrated inside of her biting her lip.
A deep, satisfied sigh escaped her as she let the imagined moment linger, determined more than ever to ruin Evangeline's life and reclaim what she believed was hers.
Evangeline sat at the library table, her fingers trembling slightly as they clutched the edges of the book she had acquired at the auction. Her knuckles whitened with tension, eyes narrowing at the page in frustration. "Why would Grand Uncle do this... give him the position of Grand Duke?" she muttered under her breath, her voice tight with anger. "This is insane... I'm going insane," she thought, exasperated, before snatching the glass of water and taking a hasty sip. The glass hit the table with a sharp clink, her agitation boiling over.
"Calm down, Evangeline... calm down," she whispered to herself, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to soothe her racing thoughts. Her gaze flickered toward the library entrance, and there he was—Dominic, walking past with his usual composed elegance. She shot him a glare, her resentment momentarily rekindled. But before her frustration could spiral, Richard walked into the library, drawing her focus.
Richard, his arms folded casually, approached with a gentle smile. "I know you're upset right now," he began, his voice calm and steady. "How about we go for another picnic tomorrow? It might help take your mind off things."
Evangeline exhaled, considering the suggestion as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Alright," she said with a resigned nod, "but I won't stay long. Dominic agreed to teach me how to handle the hotel, starting from tomorrow—that's my only chance to prove myself, and it's important. I can't visit Rovensth like I wanted to, so this is it... before that ridiculous coronation." Her tone was clipped, betraying her frustration as she snapped her book shut and returned it to the shelf.
Richard watched her, his expression softening as he admired her determination. "Coronation, huh..." he thought, dipping his hands into his pockets as he followed her toward the exit. "I need to find that necklace soon and gather more clues. She'll probably discard me one day anyway.... I'm not her husband, just a passing convenience. But if this is what she wants, I'll support her. As long as she's happy." His thoughts lingered on her as she walked ahead, the quiet admiration he felt hidden behind his easy demeanor.
Meanwhile, down the hallway, Dominic caught a glimpse of Evangeline and Richard together. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he turned away, heading toward the office. "Next month..." he murmured to himself. "The coronation... and our wedding anniversary fall in the same month." His voice was laced with irony as he opened the office door and stepped inside, closing it with a firm click.
His eyes fell upon a familiar envelope lying on his desk. He paused, his smile fading, replaced by a cold, distant look. "Eliza..." he muttered, glaring at the envelope as his eyes darkened. "What does she want now?" His grip on the envelope tightened, his calm exterior cracking for just a moment, before he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.
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